Air France has initiated an investigation into a recent incident involving one of its jets flying from Paris to Dubai, which inadvertently passed over Iraq as Iranian missiles were fired at Israel. The airline disclosed that the flight, identified as Air France Flight AF662, was traversing Iraqi airspace when the Iranian attack commenced at approximately 4:45 p.m. UTC (11:45 a.m. ET) and exited the airspace shortly before 5 p.m. UTC (12 p.m. ET).
It was revealed that Iraqi airspace was not officially closed by local authorities until 5:56 p.m. UTC (12:56 p.m. ET), raising questions about the timing and coordination of flight paths amidst escalating tensions in the region. Air France, based on gathered intelligence, claimed to have foreseen the impending attack on Israel by Iran, prompting the airline to suspend overflights of Iraq's airspace starting from 5 p.m. UTC (12 p.m. ET).
Reports from French television channel LCI suggested that Air France pilots observed the missiles in the night sky from the cockpit during the incident. Allegedly, Iraqi air traffic control relayed a message of 'good luck' to the pilots, indicating the precarious situation they found themselves in.
While Air France declined to confirm whether the pilots indeed witnessed the missiles passing by, the episode underscores the complexities and risks associated with navigating airspace in conflict zones. The airline's decision to halt flights over Iraq demonstrates a commitment to passenger safety and proactive risk management in response to evolving security threats.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Iran launching missiles towards Israel in retaliation for recent events in Lebanon. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by airlines operating in volatile regions and the critical importance of robust safety protocols and intelligence monitoring to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.
